Venetian blind



VENETIAN BLIND Filed Dec. 1e, 1955 2 shears-sheet 1 j 542/. 33,2 59 Mu/44( y A ATTORNEY! Aug. 31, 1937. H. G. BALTHASAR VENETIAN BLIND Filed Dec'. 16, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 2 I N VENTOR.

ATTORNEYf l0 diiliculty.

Patented Aug. 3l, 1937 UNITED STATES assists PATET orrica l' VENETIAN BLIND Harry G. Balthasar, west' Tower Park, ohio, assignor to Edward VJ, Hon', Cincinnati, Ohio Application December 16, 1935Serial No. 54,572 14 claims. (c1. 15s-:11)

Venetian .blind has been too involved -for' con-y venient handling such as would enable the housewife to clean the same periodically without great the usual number of slats used in a blind into a. very-small bundle,.and is extremely convenientlyremoved from the blind assembly. In view of the inexpensive/ness and the convenience of removal and insertion, it'is accordingly possible for the housewife to frequentlychange theslats. -That is to say, she can remove all of the slats'without much trouble and replace the same withnew ones l without a lgreat deal of expense-` and in a very short time.

It is a further object to provide a slat for Venetian blinds which may be highly ornamental in view of its fabricatlomithe arrangement of elements constituting the same permitting color variations and other embellishments.v

It is a still further object to provide a slat for Venetian blinds which can be formed and assembled in ,a continuous strip and cutto length with out the necessity for subsequent operations at the ends of the slats. v 1

One phase of the present invention may be said to reside in thev discoverythat a Venetian blind slat can be fabricated of a relatively light thin material having sufficient rigidity to `maintain itself in flat condition, without additional support, as to its width, but not of sufficient rigidity to maintain itself in flat condition when unsupported as to the length of thefslat, and to this end incorporating means for stiiening the longitudinal edges so that the slat thus formed is properly longitudinally stiifened.

Other objects and further advantages will be vmore fully apparent from a description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Moreover, the average blind employs Figure 1 is a general view of awindow, showing the Venetian blind of thisinvention in relation thereto. l

Figure 2 islaI fragmentaryview, showing the upper part of a window with the Venetian blind in completely elevated position. l

, Figure-3 is a'sectional view taken on line 3 3,

Figure 1, looking toward the slat closing mechamsm. v Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective View of the improved Venetian blind slat-of this invention showing the elevating `ribbon or cord relative thereto.

Figure 5 isa fragmentary perspective view of the slat of Figure 4, further ,illustrating the grommet platethereof.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a slat of this invention with the metal bound edgesslightly modified from those ci Figure 4 and illustrating a stilening clip thereon. Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the slat of Figure 6, the stiil'ening clip, which binds the' portions of the slat'together at the entry tothe elevatingribbonzor cord clearance opening, in retracted position.

Figure^8 is a lfragmentary perspective view of a Astilli'urther modification of the improved slat.

1 vFigure 9 is a fragmentaryperspective` view of the slat showing still further modifications.

VFigure 1011s a fragmentary perspective view ofthe improved slat showing further modifications in the structure vofthe edge binding strips.

Figure 11 is a yfragmentary perspective `view of the improved slat showingifurther modifications in the structureof the edge binding strips.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, the conventional window frameis .indicated at 30;- End brackets 3| are provided' for supporting the Venetian blind. 'I'hese brackets are attached to the under side of the upper 'element 32 of the Window frame. The means for supporting the Venetian blind slats 34 v'cc'm'slsts of a-iiat bar 33 pivotally mounted in A*the* respective brackets 3I-3 I, by means of trunnions 35. From this bar are suspended pairs of cloth straps 36, there being one element of each pair at each side of the.

slat. A lower cross bar 31 is supported on the lower ends of, these straps. In each case they straps are attached to the bars by tacks Between the elements of each bar of straps are cross strap elements 38 providing the normally horizontal supports for the slats themselves. The

slats are spaced apart a distance slightly less than invention and therefore nism is incorporated in conjunction with the upper pivotally mounted bar 33.- 'I'his mechanism includes a slat adjusting cord 46 and a pull cord 59. The adjustingcord 46 effects the tilting of the slats 34 in the appropriate direction and the pull cord 59 acts to raise or lower the blind as desired. The operating mechanism to which these cords connect forms no part of the present is illustrated only in general so as to disclose the blind and slats in their proper operating environment.

As shown in Figure 4 to 11 inclusive, a variety of slat constructions may be utilized. In the preferred forms (see Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7) a grommet plate is provided. 'I'his plate may 'include clips for closing the entrance to the clearance openings in the Venetian blind slats and preventing displacement "or Vdisalig'mnent of the slat at either side of this open slot.l f

The slats are fabricated of a material which is sufficiently rigid or has. enough body for maintaining a flattened condition as to width but not as to length. Among the materials possible for Athis use are fabrics, either heavy or filled, paper, either coated or heavy enough-to come underthe class described, cellulose products, etc. In other words, any material can be used comingunder the general definition above given.

As heretofore stated the present slat can be formed and assembled in a continuous length or strip and cut to the exact length required for a given'installation, withoutthe necessity for subsequent operations at the en'ds or sides of lthe slats. In other words, the slat isnot mounted on a frame as apart of the supporting structure of the blind, butis removably suspended onthe ladder tapes. In the formation of the slats, a continuous strip of fabric may be fed from amachine incorporating the longitudinal edge reenforcing means. This continuously `assembled strip is cutoff to form :slats of whatever length desired. v

Now in view ofthe fact that the material used in the blind is flexiblev and will collapse or flex longitudinally ifrunsupported, reenforcing strips or edging strips are used to strengthen the slat.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate in detail one form of edging strip 82.V Infthis case the strip is of metal and is bent so as to form a hook or turned under portion 83, hooking a turned margin of the strip 84.. In other words, this edging provides a double bend which securely hooks the same -in relation tothe edge of the strip. A clip 85, used in this instance, is of U-shape witha hook-margin 86 for holding it in position -as it is moved from position overlappingthe slot to position clear thereof.- Y .N m.

Several other forms vof edging strip are illustrated, as for example, in Figures 9 and 11. In Figure 11 the edging strip indicated at 81 is of `U-shape provided ywith a longitudinal crimp 88 which locks the strip on against displacement. kIn Figure 9 an angular edge' strip 89 is employed. Specifically described thi: :trip providesa hook'portion of `the same character as that employed in the form shown in Figures 5 and 6,\with the exception that an additional iiangeV 90 is provided projected angularly therefrom.r Also, the edge of the material is given inserts 96 therein. For

the edge of the material a double bend, that is, angularly as at 9| and reversed upon itself as at 92 making anv extremely secure hook.

It will be noted that in certain of the forms an entry slot is not shown. It will be understood that the entry slot can be used on any forms, some only having been selected for the purpose of illustrating the entry slot.

In Figures 4 and 5, grommet plates vided. These plates can be -applied to any form disclosed. They provide a frame for the clearance opening in the material and for theentry slot thereto in those instances where a slot is provided and are fastened in position by rolled side edge portions 94.v

The slot of Figures this purpose the material is hemmed as at 91 providing piped edges. The hems may be short as in Figure 4, or extended entirely to a central line of the material for reenforcing the same if desired `as in Figure 10. y y

Figure 8 discloses a centrally disposed wood strip 98 as the reenforcing means. This strip is slightly `off center so that it does-not iriter-l 93 are pro- 4, 5, and 10 has wire edge fere with the elevating ribbon and its clearance opening in theslat.. to form a double thickness and` is formed around the wood strip` 98. In this form Vit is possible v to eliminate-the reenforcing means' about the;

entry slot. f n

Having described my invention, I claim;

1. A slat for a Venetian blind, comprising, a strip of flexible material having sumcient rigidity to maintain itself in iiat condition crosswise but not lengthwise, stiffening strips disposed along the longitudinal edges of the slat. said slat including clearance openings permitting passage of the elevator c'ords of aVenetian blind therethrough and entry slots to said openingsfrom the side edges of the slat, -and plate -elements marginally surrounding said openings The material is overlappedk and entry slots `and extendingacross .the width of the slat and attached-to the, stiffening strips 2. A slat f or a Venetian blind, comprising, a strip of material having suflicient body tomaintain itself in at conditionl -crosswise butl not lengthwisefa centrally longitudinally disposed'` stiifening strip for said slat, said slat having clearance openings adjacent said stiffening strip and entry slots to said the side edges of the slat. l

3. Av'slat for a Venetian blind, comprising a strip of flexible material having suiiicient rigidity clearanceV openings from vand extendy ing across the width of the slat and attached j to the stiff'ening strips thereof. 4. A slat or lath for a blind, comprising, a web of stiff fabric material, having its opposite longitudinal edges piped, -and grommet plates disposed transversely of and'for the width of the web,A each-plate having its opposite ends respectively clinched about the edge piping.

marc. BALTHASAR.

55 to maintainitself in substantially fiat condition 

